The
Supermarine Walrus was a
British single-engine
amphibious biplane reconnaissance aircraft designed by
R. J. Mitchell and first flown in 1933. It was operated by the
Fleet Air Arm(FAA) and also served with the
Royal Air Force (RAF),
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF),
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) and
Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). It was the first British squadron-service aircraft to incorporate a fully retractable main undercarriage, completely enclosed crew accommodation, and an all-metal fuselage in one airframe.
Designed for use as a fleet spotter to be
catapult launched from
cruisers or
battleships, the Walrus was later employed in a variety of other roles, most notably as a rescue aircraft for downed aircrew. It continued in service throughout the
Second World War.